Contents

History

Formed in 1901, Port Talbot began life as a member of the Swansea Senior League and continued playing following a hiatus due to World War One. Although records are sparse, the club are thought to have played in the Swansea Senior League until 1926, when they became founder members of the Port Talbot and District Association Football League.

The club are thought to have competed in the Welsh League Division 2 Western from the 1928/29 season onwards, competing under the name Seaside Athletic.

Although the club can trace rather tenuous roots back to 1901, the modern club was founded shortly after World War II as Port Talbot Athletic.[2]

Promotion to the top-flight of Welsh football was gained in 1956–57, but the club were subject to relegation after one season. Port Talbot regained promotion as Division 2 West champions in 1961–62 but were relegated again after one season in the top-flight. The club followed a similar path in 1970–71.

They were promoted into the League of Wales in 2000, and changed their name to Port Talbot Town in 2001. Port Talbot's biggest rivals are considered to be Afan Lido, located less than half a mile away, the rivalry is one of the fiercest in South Wales.

A 3rd-place finish in the 2009–10 season provided Port Talbot with a berth in the Europa League, their first appearance in European Competition.

Support

Average crowd attendances at Port Talbot Town, taken from attendances between 1994 and 2010 is 207 although attendances regularly exceed that figure. High attendances at the Victoria Road-based Stadium include the 2,640 people who watched Port Talbot beat Football League side Swansea City 2–1 in an FAW Premier Cup quarter final in 2007, the Swans' run-away promotion year.[3]

A notable attendance was also the estimated 400 Port Talbot fans in attendance at the 2010 Welsh Cup final in Llanelli against three time winners Bangor City. Port Talbot have become renowned for their vocal following in recent years.